Ujjain-Jhalawad Road

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Agroh Infrastructure Developers Private Ltd was awarded a 15 year build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract for the 134 km Ujjain-Agar-Susner-Jhalawad Road by the State of Madhya Pradesh in November of 2001. There had been an urgent need to strengthen and upgrade the region’s roads due to a considerable increase in traffic and commercial activities. Total cost of the road was estimated at Rs. 65.19 crore (approx. US$15 million), 22.3 crore of which was given in the form of a government grant/subsidy. The project was part of the first phase of a larger, three phase state-wide road development program that aimed at constructing 15 new road corridors totaling 2155 km throughout Madhya Pradesh. The state had planned total expenditures of around Rs. 1,000 crore (approx. US$225 million) for the program with Rs. 500 crore of that amount raised through the issuance of infrastructure bonds that were to be used subsidize the private operators. Madhya Pradesh was the first Indian state to implement a road development program on such a large scale with private participation. Under the “Bond BOT” scheme, investment was made by the private developer who was then allowed to collect tolls on the road for a 15 year term, which was inclusive of the construction period. To make the projects more attractive, the government provided grants/subsidies to the private sector company on a competitive bidding basis. For each project, three privately outsourced consultants were appointed: a technical consultant, a financial consultant and a supervision and quality control consultant. Financial closure for the Ujjain-Jhalawad Road had been achieved through the IDFC, which was to provide a term loan of Rs.37.63 crore. As of December of 2003, investment of more than Rs.64 crore had been done and eight tranches of subsidy had been released by the government. Toll collection on first section of the road had commenced. The project was projected to be complete by early 2004.